The Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services is looking for Psychiatric Social Worker to join the ODR Housing Team. The ODR Housing program is a permanent supportive housing program serving individuals who are homeless, have a serious mental health disorder, and are diverted into services after being incarcerated in the Los Angeles County Jail. Clients in the ODR Housing program are referred to an Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) provider, who works with the client as they transition from custody to community and on to permanent supportive housing. Acting as a clinical consultant to ODR’s contracted community-based organizations, the Psychiatric social worker assists with the coordination of the criminal justice diversion, mental health, physical health, and housing care of ODR clients in collaboration with a multidisciplinary county team.
The Psychiatric Social Worker (PSW) I may additionally support the ODR Housing team with pre-release activities, including legally and clinically screening referrals and advocating for pre or post plea diversion in the LA County Superior Court.
Currently, ODR has a hybrid work schedule with a combination of workdays in the office, in the field and remote. This may change at discretion of DHS.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS of the Psychiatric Social Worker I include, but are not limited to:
- Conduct comprehensive assessments in the jail, community, or court settings for persons experiencing homelessness, diagnosed with a serious mental illness, and an alleged felony offense, focused on release of clients to community-based housing.
- Evaluate clients’ psychosocial and service needs through interviews and evaluations, review of medical and mental health records, and consult with housing team members, intensive case management service (ICMS) and other collateral.
- Provide oversight of outreach and engagement of community-based providers’ including monitoring service plans and progress with assigned clients, identifying, and troubleshooting service issues, and providing consultation to case managers.
- Coordinate with other County departments including Correctional Health Services, Public Defender, Alternate Public Defender, District Attorney, Probation, and Superior Court staff to determine program eligibility, custody and housing placement recommendations, medication release coordination, and screening, diagnoses, and treatment of ODR clients.
- Develop release plan for ODR clients and coordinate care including placement to contracted community interim housing and licensed care facilities.
- Partner with program managers, clinicians, and case managers from contracted community-based organizations to provide case consultation, clinical support, coaching, and capacity building support in order to aid the effective delivery of field based intensive case management services.
- Collaborate and offer mental health and best practices training to community-based providers who will work with the population of clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
- Maintain documentation of social work activities including assessments, service plans and progress notes required for court documentation or other reporting purposes.
- Maintain a thorough knowledge of established social work standards and principles, and State and Federal social welfare laws and regulations to ensure effective oversight of community-based providers and their services.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
- Clinical social work experience in community mental health, homeless services, or healthcare strongly preferred.
- Experience/expertise in assessing and delivering care to clients with substance use disorders.
- Experience/expertise in assessing and delivering care to clients with severe persistent mental illness.
- Experience/expertise in assessing and delivering care to clients with histories of homelessness.
- Experience/expertise in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and housing first principles.
- Familiarity with DMH, DPH and community mental health, substance use, housing/homelessness programs and resources.
Education/Experience
- A Master's Degree in Social Work from a graduate school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education followed by a minimum of two years of clinical social work experience working with people with Serious Mental Illness, Homelessness, and/or Substance Use Disorders.
Certificates/Licenses/Clearances
- Registered as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. *Supervision of clinical hours toward licensure available.
- A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
- Successful clearing through the Live Scan process with the County of Los Angeles
Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Proficient skill set in using an array of Microsoft Office Suite software programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Adobe Reader, One Note, Outlook, Publisher, Teams, Outlook, etc.
- Able to multi-task and set workload priorities for time sensitive projects/tasks.
- Ability to problem solve and make recommendations to processes, policies, etc.
- Able to communicate with all levels of personnel, e.g., written, verbal, in a professional and concise/clear manner; ability to work within a project team and/or independently.
- Able to work in a very diverse environment and with diverse individuals.
- Ability to be flexible in meeting changing work tasks and timelines; must be dependable and reliable.
ONLINE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- At a minimum, candidates need to submit/upload electronic copies of a resume describing education to include training certifications, and relevant paid and volunteer experience – relevant to the job description essential job functions. Applications need to include legible copies of education diplomas/transcripts as applicable.
- A cover introductory letter may be submitted while not required.
- Legible copies of certificates to substantiate proficiency in skills, knowledge and abilities may be submitted.
- Applications without supporting documentation at the time of application or no more than 5 business days after the initial application will not be included in the candidate pool.
- Review of job description at https://helunahealth.org/join-our-team/ is suggested, especially if applying to the position from a third-party online application.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Stand Frequently
Walk Frequently
Sit Frequently
Handling Occasionally
Reach Outward Occasionally
Reach Above Shoulder Occasionally
Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally
Lift / Carry Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
Push/Pull Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
See Constantly
Taste/ Smell Not Applicable
WORK ENVIRONMENT
General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled
